Israel launches major ground operations extending to Litani River

AFP via Babelfish translation | August 11, 2006

[HAL9000]

The Israeli army launches a terrestrial operation of scale to southern Lebanon

JERUSALEM - the Israeli army launched Saturday morning a terrestrial operation of scale to southern Lebanon, announced the spokesman of the army.

"Conforméement with the decision Wednesday of the cabinet of safety, the Israeli army launched a terrestrial operation in the south of Lebanon which must extend to the Litani river", the spokesman indicated.

"the troops on the ground will profit from an aerial cover and maritime", the spokesman added.

According to the public radio, reinforcements as men and the tanks penetrated in southern Lebanon in the zone already controlled by the Israeli army.

[EQAndyBuzz]

So 1559 is dead?

[elfman2]

" If (and I suspect this is the case) it is not considered "defensive" to attack/root out Hizbullah positions south of the litani, then Israel only has 24 hours to apply all of this newfound man-power (which should have been applied from the very beginning)"

I think that disarming anyone in occupied territory will be claimed as defensive by Israel. The UN/French will not be in position to disrupt that for weeks at best.

I think that the IDF has to just begin engagements in all territory up to the Litani river by Sunday so that the results of all battles can be claimed as defensive. That’s no small task when Hezbollah knows this and all routs will be mined and defended.

If needed, I suspect the Israeli cabinet can find an excuse to delay a vote.

[montag813]

What is the rush for Israel to obey the Resolution? The Security Council passed a decree 25 years ago that Syria had to remove all of its troops from Lebanon, and only did so in the past 18 months.

[dmcnash]

"a terrestrial operation"

What's that?

something like a vasectomy, when they cut the Litani they will not be able to reproduce

[blackie]

Thanks for the link, it's a brilliant piece!!

[ohioWfan]

Most excellent!! May God be with Israel and protect His people!

[ohioWfan]

THAT caused a literal L-O-L!

Thanks for a break in the tension. :)

[rahbert]

an operation occurring on the planet Earth.

[Mashood]

The resolution is not "in-force" at this time...both Israel and Lebanon have not signed...but are expected to sign.

Lebanon is still 40% Christian...1701 is a god-send to all the Lebanese people..save the supporters of Hezbollah.

[RightWhale]

If the French send peacekeepers we can expect more of this semi-English babelfish. NZ is intending to send troops, and that is a major plus.

[RedRover]

but where will the children go to school if they destroy all the bunkers under them?

Can't wait for the Reuters' photos of pristine school books, blackboards, and desks in the craters.

[brazzaville]

Good morning.

Paratroopers were created for jobs such as the seizing ground like the south bank of the Litani and holding it until the tanks arrive to secure the ground. Then the paras can clear the ground between the river and Israel's border.

Michael Frazier

[elfman2]

"Good morning. Paratroopers were created for jobs such as the seizing ground like the south bank of the Litani and holding it until the tanks arrive to secure the ground. Then the paras can clear the ground between the river and Israel's border."

Sure, but if there are dozens of fortified villages in between that aren’t engaged prior to a cease fire, I think that major operations to remove Hezbollah from then afterwards will be difficult to justify as defensive.

[Mashood]

The main concentration of Hezbollahs missle capability is the north and south shores of the Litani. If indeed it would take the IDF a week to make it to the shores, you wouldn't want to leave your paras there unsupported for that duration.

[brazzaville]

Good morning.

When the IDF sweeps south the trapped Hezbollah fighters will fight back or try to flee. I'm not sure that Israel will feel the need for any justification to kill scurrying rats.

It should make for interesting news stories.

Michael Frazier

[brazzaville]

Good morning.
"...you wouldn't want to leave your paras there unsupported for that duration."

This isn't Arnhem Bridge. The IDF artillery is in range and the good pilots of the IAF would provide any other support that is needed.

It would be a classic airborne mission that would result in massive casualties for the Islamists if they tried to seriously attack the bridgehead.

Airborne All The Way!

Michael Frazier

[elfman2]

"I'm not sure that Israel will feel the need for any justification to kill scurrying rats."

Israel is smarter than that. Even Netanyahu speaks to the need to win the information war. Being able to justify assaults on villages as defensive after the cease fire while labeling rocket attacks as proof that Hezbollah has no interest in peace is critical. They need to commence a ground attack on each of them before the cease fire.

Starting each of your replies with “good morning” is unnatural and easy to interpret as condescending.

[Mashood]

Good morning:

"seizing ground like the south bank of the Litani"

I don't think it would be prudent to expose your quick mobile units to this vicegrip...waiting for the main force to arrive in 5-6 days.

[WOSG]

"The plan is to capture the land to the Litani river up to Tuesday, since Sunday the Israeli Cabinet will vote for the UN resolution 1701. Then Israel will stop the "offensive operations" but they will hold the land they occupied until the international force arrive which can take weeks to arrive. In the meanwhile, Israel will conduct the "defensive operations" as allowed by UN resolution 1701 and clean these area from Hizballah terrorists and destroy their weapons and infrastructure."

From your lips to God's ears.

[jveritas]

It is happening as we speak.